It means reaching into 152 schools – some of them for the very first time in 20 years.

Missions director Ian Henderson explains: ‘Our dream is that every young person growing up in Greater Manchester will hear the gospel from one of our bands or theatre company at least once in their school career. That’s a big challenge from where we are now, but we’ve got the people and the passion to do it.’

As a step towards reaching the goal, The Message is trying to get in contact with every Christian working in education – as a teacher, learning assistant or support worker.

If you’re a Christian working in education we’d love to hear from you. Please get in touch with Abi Sewart on 0161 946 2300 or by emailing schools@message.org.uk.

‘Right now, we are seeking six exceptional people to join our team as Business Managers,’ explains MEC Director Frank Green (pictured). ‘Each will be tasked with setting up a new business from scratch which will both turn a profit and recruit and mentor young trainees.

‘We are looking to begin six new businesses in the following sectors: Café and Catering, Health and Beauty, Design and Print, Garden Maintenance, Contract Cleaning, and Fairtrade Import and Sales.’

The MEC is seeking business-minded entrepreneurs with specific expertise in one of these sectors and a commitment to excellent customer service. They need to have a passion to see young, disadvantaged people achieving their full potential, and be committed christians with a sense of calling to serve God in this way.

Frank adds: ‘For these roles, we are looking for talented people who are able to bring the best out of others and the patience needed to train young people at different levels of competence. In return, you can expect a competitive salary, a thrilling work environment, and the opportunity to build a business with the potential to change lives.’

For an application pack, please contact the HR team on 0161 946 2300 or by email.

Over the last 15 years, Eden has established itself as part of a movement of God embracing the different strands of incarnational living, church planting, urban youth ministry, missional community and urban church. Proximity 2012 will bring these ministries together in one place for two days of vision, conversation, inspiration and celebration. Proximity will be light-hearted and yet intelligent; fast-paced and yet reflective; boundary-pushing and yet affirming.

If you’re a leader or practitioner in any of these five overlapping areas of ministry Proximity is for you.

When and where is it happening?

From Friday 25th – Saturday 26th May, at The Sanctuary, the home of World Harvest Bible Church, a stone’s throw from the newly regenerated Salford Quays, the new home of the BBC in the north of England. Those interested in urban regeneration will find the area absolutely fascinating. There is an abundance of hotels to suit various budgets and local transport links into the area are excellent.

How much will it cost?

Proximity has been specifically designed to be flexible enough to accommodate a variety of needs and to allow maximum participation. Many will choose to be involved for the whole two days, which will cost £44; however booking before the end of March will save you 10%. Day tickets for each of the days are also available at £25 each. Finally, we will be opening up the Friday evening celebration at a cost of just £5 per ticket (limited numbers available).

How do I book?

The event is being administrated using the online ‘Eventbrite’ system which means you’ll need a credit card handy in order to place your booking. To visit the booking portal CLICK HERE.

Ian Henderson hosts with contributions from Andy Hawthorne and a look back on a fantastic year.

It’s the best half hour you’ll hear this month… Don’t you dare miss it!

Listen (and subscribe) to the Flow Podcast in iTunes

Listen to latest teaching and media from The Message on the main Message Podcast

But someone did — Jesus. ‘I’d left Manchester to get away from the drugs scene I was in and try to beat my own addiction. I was only there for two days, when I met some guys who started telling me about Jesus. They started praying for me, and I had this amazing rush all through my body. It was better than any drugs I’d ever had. It was the Holy Spirit.’

He gave his life to Christ and immediately began telling others about being born again. A natural evangelist, Adam amazed others as he led people to Jesus on the streets.

Just months later though, it all fell apart. Adam was laid off a job he’d found to start getting his life back on track. Down, depressed, his pride broken, Adam set off on a bender:     ‘I hit self-destruct again. I still had issues in my heart from when I was younger. One night I went wild and I knocked two lads out so badly, I knew I’d get sent down.’

Adam did the only thing he thought he could do — he ran. But back home in Manchester, the Holy Spirit convicted him again. He drove back to Newcastle and handed himself in.

‘I got on my knees and repented. I said to God, I want to really give you my life and lay it down. I want to leave all that stuff at the cross and move on with you… But if a prison sentence is what it takes for me to get back on track with you, then amen.’

Adam was convicted of two counts of GBH but CCTV evidence meant he was spared a prison stretch. Instead, he was given a two-year suspended sentence, a large fine and 180 hours of community service.

‘I prayed and I prayed, “God, I needed a good church, and  to get around people who really love you.”’

God answered his prayer when he started community service. Adam was sent to work on clearing the derelict site which will soon house the Message Enterprise Centre. One morning, he felt God tell him to come into The Message office next door to the site and on his next break he did. Members of the Reflex team helped him get plugged into a church and introduced him to Andy Hawthorne who recognised in Adam exactly the sort of person the M.E.C. will help.

Adam is excited about how the Message Enterprise Centre is going to help him and other lads like the ones he worked with on community service: ‘It’s obvious why people continue to offend: it’s all they know. If you only know one thing, you’re going to carry on doing that thing.

‘It’s so important that the Enterprise Centre is going to be there to point people in the right direction and give young guys like me godly wisdom and guidance. From seeing these business people, how they live, what they’ve got in life, how they are around people, I believe you’ll get huge breakthrough.’

More about the Message Enterprise Centre

The Lighthouse Christian Centre, Eccles will host young people from across the UK crying out to God in worship and intercession for the future of our nation.

It’s no accident that the event begins on 11.11.11, explains Prayer Storm founder and coordinator James Aladiran: ‘There are three specific Bible verses which we believe God is speaking through, all connected by the number 11. First is Matthew 11:11 which says of John the Baptist “there has not risen anyone greater.” John prepared the way for Jesus in his generation and we seek the same in ours.

‘Secondly, in John 11:11, Jesus is on his way to wake up Lazarus who is dead but Jesus calls him merely “asleep”. What a picture for our generation! And 1 Samuel 1:11 which describes Hannah’s vow to God to dedicate her unborn son to the Lord.’

James also recognises the importance of the timing politically and economically, following this year’s market turmoil and unrest on the streets of cities across the world – including Manchester.

‘There are moments in history where I think the door for change swings open and his people have the opportunity to influence history for good. This is one of them. We can shift the door to allow more of God’s favour. It’s a significant hour,’ he adds

Prayer Storm began in May 2009 with a gathering of young people and students in Manchester. Since then the movement has grown through prayer nights and larger daytime gatherings and to other parts of the North West..

More about Prayer Storm

To keep updated with what Prayer Storm is up to, follow us on Twitter, become a fan on Facebook or signup to receive email updates on the Prayer Storm home page.

In North London, Eden Tollington N4 is partnering with Tollington Parish, a Church of England team of three churches: St. Mark’s Tollington, St. Saviour’s, Hanley Road and Emmanuel, Hornsey Road. Tollington is classified as a UPA (Urban Priority Area) which has seen multiple waves of immigration, becoming densely populated and wonderfully ethnically and religiously diverse.

The church runs night pastors, youth clubs, work with refugee communities, drop-ins for mums and toddlers, Alpha in the community centre, and much more, including the hugely successful annual Soul in the City event aimed at young people and families.

The new Eden Tollington team is led by Jahaziel Elliot. A successful and award-winning rapper, Jahaziel felt God calling him and his family more deeply into the life of a needy local council estate. Jahaziel is also the subject of the latest film in the Being Extra Ordinary series. In the film, he talks about his experiences moving his family on to the estate and what he thinks success really means.

Watch it now and comment on the Eden Network website.

Find out more about Eden in London and how you can get involved.

Lewis Murch, pictured, had already picked up the Inspiration Award but was called back to the stage at the fourth annual Urban Hero Awards to be told his was the story that most impressed the judges. Watch his nomination video.

He was presented with his trophy and a prize of a high-end laptop and pro music software by Chris Bowles from Awards Sponsor Stagecoach Group.

The Urban Hero Awards recognise young people who have been helped by The Message Trust over the last year through our pioneering work in schools, communities and prisons. It also showcases some of the talented performers in music, drama and dance who work with The Message.

The Awards were hosted by Message Trust founder and CEO Andy Hawthorne OBE, himself recently recognised in the Queens Birthday Honours List.

Over 700 people gathered to see the young people presented with their awards, among them Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, Peter Fahy; High Sheriff of Greater Manchester Christine Lee Jones; Lord and Lady Edmiston; MPs Paul Goggins and Fiona Bruce; and Councillors Afzal Khan and Sameem Ali.

Exceptional winners

The six award winners took to the stage to rapturous applause.

Drama student Georgia Houghton won the Courage Award for overcoming an abusive relationship that almost drove her to suicide. Watch her nomination video.

The Volunteer Award was presented to Anth Brown for his work with young men coaching football on the Easterside estate in Middlesbrough. Watch his nomination video.

Stacey Murray received the Achiever Award for her strength of character displayed as she rebuilt her life after five consecutive prison sentences on drugs charges. Watch her nomination video.

The Champion Award went to Nina Whittaker from Harpurhey whose work with young girls in her community has helped many find a sense of self-worth and identity. Watch her nomination video.

And Laura Neilson was honoured with a special award for Enterprise for her amazing entrepreneurial work setting up new health practices in four of Greater Manchester’s underprivileged communities. Watch her nomination video.

Wonderful generosity

Thanks to the generosity of our guests on the night The Message raised a wonderful £119,286 towards our pioneering work in schools, communities and prisons.

Some of this was earmarked for the new Message Enterprise Centre which is now over halfway towards its fundraising goal of £1m with almost £700,000 so far pledged.

Urban Heroes Supplement

This Friday, June 24, the Manchester Evening News will be running a special eight-page supplement featuring all our winners’ stories and coverage from the night in all its editions.

Make sure you get your copy!

With a sound described as a mixture of pop-punk, hardcore and screamo, the four-piece has already established a following in London and on the festival circuit and is sure to be popular in Manchester schools.

MaLoKai released a rock cover of Jessie J’s song Price Tag in April. The band initially worked on the song as a fun cover to fill out a set, but fans loved it so much that they requested the guys release it. So they did – and you can download it, along with the band’s 2009 album Perception of Reality on iTunes.

Lead singer Alex comments, ‘We are really excited about becoming part of the Message family, learning from the guys and and seeing where God takes us. Our heart right now is just for getting out there as much as possible, doing schools weeks and playing gigs on the local scene.’

Check out MaLoKai’s Facebook page for updates and to hear tracks from the band.

To talk about getting MaLoKai or any of our schools bands in your local school, contact Nathan Milnes via email or on 0161 946 2300.

The films give a window into the lives of people who have chosen to live in challenging communities as part of the Eden Network.

Collecting the award on behalf of the production team at Message:Creative, Eden’s National Director Matt Wilson spoke of the inspiration behind the short films: ‘The Being Extra Ordinary films are designed to foster a richer understanding of what life is like in the communities we’re serving. Through the real-life stories of our team members and their neighbours, we hope to break down the assumption that you need to be a superhero to be involved in this kind of ministry.’

The latest film, number four in the series, features Chris and Laura, team leaders of Eden Byker, who talk about how God interrupted their lives to call them to the North East. Watch it below.

It follows number three in the series, telling the amazing story of Tony Grainge and his work with young people on the Easterside estate near Middlesbrough.

Click to watch Part Three on YouTube

Part Two featured Jackie and Simon Blanchflower, part of Eden Notting Barns (W10). They talk about how they moved on to the Lancaster West estate, the thrill of living in multicultural London and their dream to build ‘a local church for local people’.

Watch Part Two (featuring Jackie and Simon) on YouTube

Part one featured Ben and Amy Woodfield, team leaders of Eden Old Trafford, which gives glimpses of life on Eden Old Trafford together with some of the couple’s experiences and motivation behind being part of Eden.

Watch Part One (featuring Ben and Amy) on YouTube

Eden is looking for 100 people to join their teams in Manchester, London and in the North East in 2011. Could you be one of them?

Find out more at the Eden Network website